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8 Japanese Startups Participating in the Startup Global Exchange Program in UAE

 

The JU-CAT, jointly led by the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), aims to accelerate technology diffusion and support Japanese startups in expanding internationally. Since early 2024, Universal Materials Incubator and MoIAT have collaborated to develop the Startup Global Exchange Program, a bilateral initiative between the UAE and Japan that welcomes startups from both countries and supports their business development in counterpart markets.

Held from January 13–15 in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the program connected founders with key Emirati stakeholders, including the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), and Hub71. Startups pitched their technologies, explored pilot opportunities, and engaged in discussions on commercial co-development and regional scaling.

10 participating UAE startups and JU-CAT organizers

The eight Japanese startups spanned sectors including agriculture, 3D-printed architecture, circular economy, robotics, energy and AI solutions.

 

During the World Future Energy Summit, the delegation was welcomed by MoIAT representatives, and at the Japan Pavilion, Minister of Economy Ryosei Akazawa encouraged the startups to scale in the UAE.

The Japan Pavilion at the World Future Energy Summit

The participants had the chance to learn from UAE government officials the broad opportunities currently provided for the overseas players to enter the UAE market. Representatives from Sheraa (the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre) and Dubai Future Foundation (national innovation catalyst) presented their current programs and provided an overview of the UAE startup ecosystem. The program concluded with cultural visit to Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding.

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